I have been a devout football fan for over 40 years, as season ticket holder for the last 5 years, and a former NFL Sunday Ticket subscriber. I should also state for full disclosure that I am also classified as a minority (American of African Dissent). Understanding that we are a 'melting pot' of nation with the right to hold different ideas and opinions, football allowed us to put all that aside on game day and root for our team (or teams) - putting that team concept above any one person.
For the record, it was the fine and suspension of one player for the Miami Dolphins that has prompted my actions.
Football was the place where a person can excel based on true merit alone. Regrettably, the NFL is apparently changing its policy, and subsequently its business model, that I can no longer take part in.
In a few short years, the NFL has gone from penalizing legitimate tackling and blocking, to punishing players for rules that don't exist, to now - celebrating one's sexual preference over talent on the field, and forcing this moral belief on players, other personnel and even your fan base.
As you are aware, and as I have seen from years of football, the moral principles of the VAST majority of your players is self-evident at the end of a football game, or when there is a serious injury to a player (and I suspect you'll find the need to outlaw that practice soon, too). This new culture being forced on America is un-acceptable to most, and the NFL was expected to be a bulwark against this destructive mindset.
What's worse than intimidating all NFL employees in to silence via fines and attempted 're-education', you will now force them into a closed environment where you have forbidden women, as it would be an improper setting based on the common sexual preference of both parties. I fear a league where more time will be spent chasing false allegations, rumors, and agendas than opposing players with the ball. One can easily envision illegal monitoring of NFL associates and even media personnel in the near future. It is un-fair to the other athletes that have worked so hard to achieve their positions in the NFL now must live on the threat of being labeled anything, fined for any amount for merely having an opinion about a CHOICE an individual has made on his sexual preference, and flaunting it in front of a national audience.
As I recall, the NFL frowned on such public behavior from its players, as it set (in your words) "A bad example for the league."
In recent days, we have seen others shunned and punished merely for having opinion, or supporting a cause they believe in. This is a grave concern to many Americans, and I feel we must begin to take steps to reverse this trend. If an NFL player or his wife is photographed at a pro-marriage rally, or donates to that cause (or some other cause you don’t like), will they be fined as well? Punished? Suspended? Or as an American, do they have a right to those opinions without interference?
The current administration of the National Football League is making a mockery of this truly American Institution, becoming an insult to its players, personnel and fans, and is – yes – tarnishing that hallowed ‘shield’.
For this reason, I have notified my NFL team that for these reasons I will not be re-newing my season tickets, cancelling my NFL Sunday Ticket Subscription. I have already blocked all ESPN channels from my cable box and may block more if this travesty continues, including find more productive ways of spending my Sunday afternoons. I am asking other like-minded fans to join me in this cause. It may take some getting used to, but regrettably, such sacrifices must be made to force positive change. My contact information is below if you have any questions on the matter.
Sincerely, J.Johnson Buffalo, New York.
(bump!)
305 943 8000 Dolphin’s phone number
I quit watching years ago, a couple years after I quit watch NBA games. Good start but all the other lemmings will keep watching, buying jerseys, and playing fantasy football.
Good for you! I am on the verge of this, but can’t quite pull the trigger yet. Seriously thinking of ditching Sunday Ticket as it is the one case where I am directly paying the NFL anything.
Sir....
I stand and applaude your choice of words:
“...I am also classified as a minority (American of African Dissent)...”
I am of Scots/Irish and Ani-Yun-Wiya descent, but I refer to myself as American with no hyphen additions.
I am so proud to see another American doing so...
Again, I applaude you...
The NFL.
Formerly known as the National Felons League.
Now known as the National Faggotry League.
Welcome to the club, personally I stopped Watching professional sports 30 years ago.
Hear Hear!! I appreciate your taking a stand.
Atlanta Falcons contact information:
Mailing Address: 4400 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Main Phone Number: 770-965-3115
Ticket Office Phone Number: 404-223-8444
Website Address: www.atlantafalcons.com
Copy/paste. Sending to NFL.com
More need to do this and I hope they do take a stand.
Time for others to “come out” and say enough.
People in the NFL organization need to step up to the plate and ask, "Why is the NFL promoting MSM knowing the health risks that are associated with it?"
If an NFL player or his wife is photographed at a pro-marriage rally, or donates to that cause (or some other cause you don’t like), will they be fined as well? Punished? Suspended? Or as an American, do they have a right to those opinions without interference?
Applause, sir.
That is exactly what is happening. I certainly won’t renew Sunday Ticket this year.
Wonder when these guys at the NFL will think having transvestite cheerleaders will be a requirement?
There are far too many other things one can enjoy themselves with other than watching Pro sports. Formula One is about the only pro sport I actively watch anymore. Formula one is perhaps many years out before social engineering is forced on the sport.
I’ve been increasingly fed up with the NFL too. This coming fall my not see me watching either.
Good! Agenda-driven bread and circuses. I stopped watching after the “wardrobe malfunction” in the Super Bowl halftime pre-meditated, agenda-driven show.
Decision. Not interested in the product, the agenda, the programming, the lifestyle (the alternative lifestyles of the participants) the time of life it consumes.
freedom. decision. not interested.
It costs a fortune to attend a game and they prevented Rush Limbaugh from buying a team.
I’ve been boycotting most spectator sports. When they give up the taxpayer subsidies, I might reconsider.